With the May 13, 2013 Philippine 2013 election coming up
on Monday, I thought of writing this election
voting guide in service of everyone who will be voting. May these
suggestions become a guide that you will ponder upon over the weekend for this
election and for all coming elections in the future. I hope that it will also
benefit readers from other parts of the world as well.

Moral Recovery
Program

This is the first on my list because naturally, everyone
who advocates MRP are less likely going to use power for personal purposes.

Proven Track
Record

We’ve all heard the same and usual platforms over and
over again. So promises are the weakest reason to vote for a candidate. Their
proven track record is a better alternative when choosing who to vote. For
those who have previously served, we already have a basis by which to judge
their performance. Otherwise, we can study their life’s work outside politics
and analyze if they have contributed anything noteworthy to society in general.
In case they win for the first time, we can also track their performance during
their first term in office.

A Leader is a
Servant

You don’t want to elect an official who bosses everyone
around. These are the typical power tripping, power hungry candidates. In
relation to this, I’d like to quote a few lines from an article written by a
fellow freelance writer. He writes, “Ang
hirap kasi sa kapangyarihan, nakakaadik. Ang hirap sa mga oportunista, hindi na
pwedeng asahang magbago. At ang hirap sa mga botante, hindi natututo.” So
let’s not elect a leader but a servant whose heart is set to serve.

Still in connection with servitude, the movie The
Campaign light-heartedly describes how a candidacy campaign program as a whole
can become dirty with tricks. Campaigning alone will necessitate the use of
funds so some candidates will turn to capitalists who will support them in exchange
for business favors after the election as exemplified by the character of Zach
Galifianakis(Martin
"Marty" Huggins in the film). Applying this to real life, it will be
difficult to serve the people and financiers at the same time. The same applies
to vote buying. It can be comparable to business where vote buyers will do what
they can after being elected to get ROI or return on investment.

Bare it All

Stripping the campaign platforms off candidates, you will
find out who they really are and what the main point of their candidacy is. The
same movie, The Campaign showed that even the corrupt in the world of politics
started with a noble purpose before power, fame, and fortune corrupted their
virtues. Will Ferrellas Camden "Cam" Brady in the
same movie, entered the world of politics during his school years because he
wanted to remove the school slide that had caused countless injuries amongst
students because of its protruding ripped side.

Recently, I’ve heard a local lawyer who summarized the
reason behind her desire to run for office when she clearly doesn’t need it.
She had been slapped with the truth that the title before her name doesn’t count
when it comes to approaching public offices. It’s easier to get things done and
help people when you hold a government post. So it all boils down to her desire
to serve.

Another candidate on the other hand who can well be a
center of criticism for being young and from the traditional politician type
due to his family’s background also spoke that time. His training ground
started early and through the guidance of older, experienced relatives and acquaintances.
And despite being young and inexperienced with a more humble credential as compared
to his other siblings; he was eager and excited to serve when it was his turn
to do so.

Election Do’s and
Don’ts

The aforementioned factors are but only four yet very important.
I’d like to link back to the article I’ve mentioned earlier for more
guidelines. See Sino ang HINDI koiboboto sa ika-13 ng Mayo. You too can come up with your own guide
and prepare a list of candidates over the weekend. Just take note of the
following do’s and don’ts before, during, and after election itself:

1.
Do not fall for those who resort to vote buying.
That tag line, “tanggapin ang pera, iboto and kursunada” is lame. :D

4.
Do not wear a t-shirt bearing the faces or names
of your supported candidates inside the electoral precinct premises. It will
prevent you from being allowed to vote.

5.
Do not over vote. Excess votes will cause your
entire ballot to be skipped by the PICOS machines so all your votes will be
wasted.

6.
Don’t bring your phone or if you can’t, just
turn it off specially during the canvassing of votes to avoid jamming the PICOs
machine’s signals. The same applies to Internet usage via WLAN or wireless.

7.
Do not cheat by copying other’s votes. That’s
the reason why there is a secrecy folder so you can cover the ballot paper.

These election
voting guide are as the word suggests, only a “guide.” Be a smart voter
because the country and your local town or province’s future depends on your
vote.